Max Verstappen displays who he really is as F1 superstar keeps up tradition despite risking a fine

Max Verstappen, the Red Bull racing star, almost got into trouble for being late to the national anthem at the Bahrain Grand Prix. He was rushing but still had time to ask Sky Sports' Martin Brundle how he was during the grid walk.

Verstappen is seen as the top choice to win his fourth Drivers' Championship in a row, even though there's been some drama with his team boss, Christian Horner. He showed everyone he's the one to beat by getting pole position in Bahrain, faster than Charles Leclerc from Ferrari and George Russell from Mercedes.

But there was nearly a bit of a problem on Saturday when Verstappen was the last driver to get to the ceremony for the national anthem. Martin Brundle was doing his famous grid walk and wanted to chat with Verstappen, but he wasn't with the other drivers yet, reports The Express. Then someone told him that Verstappen was on his way, moving past all the famous people, fans, and important folks on the grid.

Brundle said, "He must be due on the grid by now, actually, Max. I'm surprised he's not. If he does show up, he'll be...," but then he stopped because he saw Verstappen hurrying over. Even though he was in a hurry, Verstappen still came back to see how Martin was doing.

The 26 year old suddenly ran past Brundle, looking in a hurry as the Sky Sports presenter tried to speak to him. Brundle asked Verstappen if he was "all good", and got a thumbs-up from the world champion and a question back that we couldn't hear.

"Top man, yeah, I'm very good, thank you," Brundle said before Verstappen came closer and asked: "Are you good? Are you good, yeah? ".

Brundle told him again that he was "fantastic" and thanked Verstappen, who smiled as he quickly joined the others.

Brundle was really happy